Maoist leader carrying Rs 2 lakh on his head surrenders

A hardcore Maoist who was carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head has surrendered before the police in Odisha's Malkangiri district, police said.

He laid down arms as he was disillusioned with the activities of the rebels, a police officer said.

Dula Madkami, an active member of Andhra-Odisha Border Zonal Committee of the banned CPI (Maoist), surrendered before the Superintendent of Police Malkangiri, Rishikesh Khilari, and senior CRPF officials here on Friday.

Having joined the banned outfit in 2015, Madkami was involved in a series of attacks on security forces in Malkangiri and Baipariguda in Koraput district and other offences, the SP said.

Madkami, who carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, was also in the team working for the protection of Maoist leader and secretary of Andhra Odisha Border Zonal committee, Uday.

The surrendered ultra told the police that he decided to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream as he was disillusioned with the activities of the Maoists who had deviated from their ideology, Khilari said.

Madkami was also impressed with the developmental activities being undertaken in the region, especially after the commissioning of Gurupriya bridge, he said.

Stepped up operations by the security forces in interior areas and fear of police crackdown also drove the red rebel to give up arms, the police officer said.

He will be provided with monetary assistance as per the surrender and rehabilitation scheme of the Odisha government.

He will also get financial assistance for building a house and pursuing studies, the officer added.